Multicutural Communication - Essay Example

Running Head: Multicultural Communications: Problem Areas Department Communication is a very important elementof business and as such many firms must understand the best possible ways of communicating. With globalisation, business has tended to increasingly turn international and culture has become a very important factor. Different in cultures affect business in a number of ways and therefore lack of cultural competence may lead to assumptions that end as critical errors in business communication.

Failing to understand another person’s intentions for instance may lead to problems in the way messages are conveyed. It is therefore very important that we understand may arise when individuals from different cultures interact with one another. Ethnocentrism is one problem that can adversely impact communication between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Lack of knowledge on cultural differences when communicating presents a problem especially with globalisation of the business environment.

Cultural determinants such as traditions, communication practices and thought process are important in multicultural communication. Clinging to manner of conducting business that is ethnocentric for instance can cause a major problem of communication between individuals. Language differences present a very critical barrier to effective cross-cultural communication; translation difficulties, failure of conveying subtle language distinctions and cultural variations between people speaking the same language inform language problems business communication (Mathews and Thakkar, 2012).

Environment is a source of problems in multicultural communication. Manners in which people utilize available resources differ markedly between cultures and as such cultural biases with regard to the technological and natural environment cause communication conflicts. Most of us are culturally accustomed perceive the environment in certain ways and as such the usage of technology. Variations in social values across cultures can also present major communication conflicts. As such it is therefore important to consider the social valued held by others on issues such as education, nepotism, class structures and religion etc in order to achieve effective communications.

Nonverbal behaves and temporal conception also communication conflicts with significant impact especially in the international business settings. Use of nonverbal signs of communications and understanding of time may differ on cultural lines and thus present problems when individuals from different cultures interact (Pratt-Johnson, 2006). To avoid the various communication problems arising in multicultural situations, effective communicators need to have a thorough knowledge of differences that are informed by cultural backgrounds among people.

Avoiding ethnocentrism when communicating in multicultural settings is important as it creates an environment for effective communication. For effective communication in business it is also very important to take time and understand the language determined difficulties and avoid them as much as possible. A general appreciation of cultural differences in use of nonverbal communication, temporal conceptions as well as differences arising from the environment is also crucial in eliminating communication problems.

Effective communicators in multicultural environments therefore have to be individuals with vast knowledge of the problems that culture could present when communicating. In conclusion therefore, communication is a very important process in the business environment and thus everything must be done to assure smooth communication between individuals. Today’s business is increasingly turning international and these means people must work in multicultural environments and communicate across cultures.

Culture affects communications I a number of different ways and this could have a significant business impact. Ethnocentrism, environment, language, nonverbal behaviours and cultural conception are some elements of culture that may affect the way people from different cultures communicate when interacting. The effective could be positive or negative and therefore a lot of care need to be taken when communicating in multicultural environments. A good understanding of how these cultural elements present in different people can help effective communicators in achieving their goal of communication.

Refereces.1. Lowell C. Matthews and Bharat Thakkar. (2012). The Impact of Globalisation on Cross-Cultural Communication. INTECH. Available at: http://www.intechopen.com/books/globalization-education-and-management-agendas/the-impact-of-globalization-on-cross-cultural-communication 2. Yvonne Pratt-Johnson. (2006). Communicating Cross-Culturally: What Teachers Should Know. New York: St Johns’ University available at: http://iteslj.org/Articles/Pratt-Johnson-CrossCultural.html